Mick Jagger to produce James Brown biopic

The Rolling Stones frontman has joined Hollywood veteran Brian Grazer as a producer on the upcoming biopic. Grazer has been working on the project for some time, hatching plans with James Brown himself before the singer passed away in 2006.

The biopic has a script by Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth, writers of 2010 White House drama Fair Game. It will chart Brown’s rise from a young boy born in extreme poverty to become the iconic recording artist known as the The Godfather Of Soul. Brown’s career spanned six decades and he is recognised as one of the most dynamic performers in rock history.

Jagger said in a statement to Deadline: “It’s a great honour to be involved with a project as rich as the story of the legendary James Brown. He was a mesmerising performer with a fascinating life.”

Meanwhile, The Help director Tate Taylor is in negotiations to helm the biopic, which does not have a title yet. Brown’s family will also contribute. The singer’s widow Tommie Rae Brown said in a statement: “I am deeply honoured that Mick Jagger and Brian Grazer, two of my husband James Brown’s favourite people, have entered into a partnership to bring his inspirational story to the big screen.”

There is no word yet on who could play James Brown, though Deadline moots Eddie Murphy and The Hurt Locker star Anthony Mackie as potential contenders.